This is the Hebrew word for “beginning,” seen in Genesis 1:1:
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
For Alex, today was a beginning.
The first day of Kindergarten.
I wish I could show you a picture of him waiting in line with his classmates to walk into the school, but (of course) my aging camera died at that moment. Let me just tell you, then, how he stood there patiently, smiling and waving at the other kids as they ran up to join him, waving at me very matter-of-factly and saying, “Okay, Mommy, you can take the grills to the car now.”
Wow. Umm, ok. I guess I’m the only one teary-eyed here.
Which is surprising, actually, because after a year of butting heads, conflict, and challenges, I thought I was quite ready for Alex to go to school. I wanted him to have more interaction with his peers, to escape from his “shadow” (aka Princess) for a few hours, to receive instruction from and learn to respect other adults, and to “grow into his shoes” away from home.
Plus, let’s be brutally honest here: I needed a break.
But as I stood there and watched him walk away from me, I was getting a bit emotional. He is, after all, my firstborn, my only son, and I can see his future stretching out before me. Kindergarten is the beginning of a whole new life, for him and for us. It marked a big change for our family. A good change, but a big one.
To mark this momentous occasion, we performed a Paging Ceremony that night. Now, we had done a precursor to this when he started Preschool, but this was the official one.
We are following the ideas presented in the book Raising a Modern-Day Knight and on the website Real Armor of God. Mike and I decided to mark stages in Alex’s life like this:
1st Day of Kindergarten – Paging Ceremony – wooden sword and shield and cape
13th Birthday – Squiring Ceremony – metal dagger and/or signet ring
High School Graduation – Knighting Ceremony – real sword and shield, and family crest
Christian Right of Passage
Paging Ceremony
Alexander MacKay Herndon
Mike:
Alex, today is a very special day for you. It is your first day of Kindergarten, a grade that officially begins your school career. Your mother and I are so very proud of you and we want you to know how happy we are.
The sword and shield are produced:
This sword and shield represent an attitude of fighting for what is true and pure and holy and right in God’s eyes. May you use them to protect the weak and safeguard your loved ones.
Mike kneels in front of Alex:
As you play with these, remember that God wants you to be His warrior, prepared for any battle you may face. When you need help, you only need to ask. God will always strengthen and protect you, and we will always be here for you.
Stand and have Alex repeat the vows:
I will defend the weak. I will speak only the truth. I will be loyal to my family. I will be brave. I will love. I will be devoted to God above all else.
Mike places the cape on Alex.
Alex, may this cape remind you of God’s protection over you. The black represents the death of your old sinful self. The red on the shield is nobility, for you are a son of the King of heaven and earth. The dragon, thought to be the battle standard for King Arthur, represents your courage, strength, and purity as a member of God’s army.
Mike taps each shoulder with the sword.
In recognition of this new chapter in your life and in honor of the young man you are becoming, I am officially christening you as a page in God’s army. You are now responsible for helping your family, and for serving your LORD, Jesus Christ. I hereby dub thee, Page Alexander.
The sword and shield are presented to Alex.
Take your rightful place in God’s army.
High King Peter the Magnificent of Narnia.
Since I am going to milk these themed Halloween costumes as long as I can, it wasn’t too hard for me to convince Evelyn to be Queen Susan the Gentle (with a bow and arrow, of course) and Penny quite willingly agreed to be Queen Lucy the Valiant.
